Trends in Facial Reanimation Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Facial paralysis profoundly affects physical, psychological, and social well-being. Facial reanimation surgery (FRS) uses various static and dynamic procedures to restore function and appearance. This bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most-cited FRS articles identifies trends, gaps, and methodological quality, offering insights into the field's evolution, guiding future research, and supporting evidence-based clinical practices to enhance patient outcomes. The top 100 most-cited articles related to FRS were identified through a comprehensive Web of Science search covering publications from 1976 to 2024. Data including citation count, study focus, and Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence (LOEs) were extracted. The most-cited articles on FRS amassed a total of 6872 citations, involving 5601 patients, with citations per article ranging from 31 to 535. Most studies were LOE 3 (n = 52), with fewer at higher evidence levels (LOEs 1 and 2). Surgical technique was the primary focus (n = 65), whereas validated patient-reported outcome measures appeared in only 8 studies. Our findings highlight the need for better research methods and wider use of validated patient-reported outcome measures in FRS studies. Standardized tools and high-quality, multicenter research are crucial for improving patient care. This analysis offers insights into FRS evolution and recommends collaborative, interdisciplinary studies to advance the field.